BY MICHELLE KEY
MICHELLE@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA —
Having been tabled for several weeks, the Opelika City Council voted Tuesday night to reinstate a proposed ordinance involving the rezoning of nearly 15 acres of land located at Gateway Drive and Interstate 85. The proposed ordinance changes the zoning of the acreage from C-2 to a planned unit development (PUD). The project will be known as the The Landing Entertainment District. The council then voted to approve the zoning changes.
According to the agenda packet, the proposed revised development plan is a mixed commercial development consisting of a coffee shop, a Texas Roadhouse Restaurant, retail outlets, restaurants, quick service restaurants with drive thrus, hotels and an outdoor recreational facility. A fueling station and welcome center has already been constructed within the boundaries of the PUD. The development will take access by extending Capps Landing across Gateway Drive and by extending Capps Drive across Gateway Drive.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
– The council approved a request for a retail wine and beer off-premise alcohol license as well as a request for a lounge retail liquor class 2 (package store) alcohol license from Big Dad LLC doing business as Big Dad Grocery.
– The council approved a street closure request for the fourth annual Songwriter’s Festival to be held Oct. 6 and 7.
– The council approved a bid for uniform cleaning from Downtown Cleaners Inc for the Opelika Fire Department.
– The council approved a bid from Mayer Electric Supply Co Inc., for the Sportsplex Aquatic Center Lighting Project for an amount of nearly $34,000
– The council approved a bid from D&J Enterprises Inc. for almost $800,000 for the Columbus Parkway North Access Road.
– The council approved emergency purchase orders for repairs to a sewer line that was damaged near Arrowhead Subdivision during a recent flash flood.The total cost of repairs was nearly $200,000.
– The council approved the purchase of Meraki cameras and equipment using the Omnia Contract No. 2018011-01 for an amount of almost $40,000.
– The council approved a resolution to amend Resolution 126-23 — an arrangement letter with Critical Insights Consulting LLC; funding of approximately 25% or $164,750 of the contract will come from the opioid settlement funds instead of the unassigned fund balance as previously stated.
– The council approved an engagement letter with Samford & Denson LLP for services pertaining to the demolition of 509 1st Ave. The owner of the property filed an appeal of the decision in the circuit court.
– The council approved a project agreement with Opelika City Schools for improvements to Bulldog Stadium and Bulldog baseball field for nearly $1.7 million which is approximately 50% of the expected costs of the improvements. The improvements includes the purchase and installation of new synthetic turf, lighting upgrades, new video board upgrades and a new LED lighting system for Bulldog baseball field.
– The council approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Opelika City Schools and the Opelika Police Department pertaining to the school resource officer program.
– The council approved the nomination of Steven Chapman to the Lee County Board of Equalization.
– The council voted to repeal Resolution 173-23 and approve a new agreement with Valley Rescue Mission Inc. in Columbus, Georgia. The updated resolutions allows for funding to come from the opioid settlement funds instead of the unassigned fund balance and also amends the amounts to be paid to $1,200 a month for men in the program and $1,400 a month for women in the program.
– The council approved an ordinance that will rename Media General Drive to Wyndham Industrial Court.